Perfume layering 101: Create your bespoke scent
Over the years, scent has evolved to an expression of mood, character and style. Much like how women wear clothes, wearing fragrance has become a part of a person’s distinct personality, uniqueness and grace.
Fragrance Layering is a more affordable and creative secret to creating your own unique signature scent. It involves using 2 or more different scents to create your own, tailor-made fragrance.
WHAT TO LAYER
For fragrance layering newbies, you can go for your favorite scent and layer it with another scent containing the same ingredient. For instance, if your favorite fragrance has lavender that is warm and a bit strong, you may choose a fresher scent with lavender to lighten it.
If you are feeling more adventurous, go for complementary scents that go well together across fragrance families or within the same family. Generally, there are 5 fragrance families: Fresh, Fruity, Floral, Spicy and Woody. Woody scents reflect the earth, woods, roots and leaves and are said to work well with floral, flowery scents. Spicy scents tend to have warm, exotic, spicy and heavy richness. Fresh fragrance on the other hand, smells clean, and light.
A floral scent as Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Cologne for example, combines perfectly well with a woody Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne. It’s like giving a warm feeling to spring!
SIMPLICITY IS KEY
Keep your layers few. There are 3 layers of a fragrance, much like a 3-layer cake. The Top Note that you smell right away and disappears easiest; The Middle Note which is the heart of the fragrance; And the Bottom Note which is what stays as the other notes have faded. Too many or too heavy layers may pollute not only yours but someone else’s nostrils.
A safer choice is a combination of light and strong scents. Our 3-layer cake has different flavors per layer, you have to consider if the scent goes well with the different layers.
In spraying multiple scents, put on the heavier scents first so they don’t overpower the lighter ones. You may also need to spray more of the lighter scent versus the heavier. However, it doesn’t mean you have to double your regular number of sprays. Your spray number should remain the same as when you are using only one scent.
Layering doesn’t necessarily mean using 2 different perfumes. If you are using a shower gel or body lotion of another scent, then you are already doing simple layering as well. Cool right?
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EXPERIMENT AND CONQUER
Feel free to experiment and mix different scents to get to that one bespoke fragrance that truly reflects your personality and style. You may get a few incompatible combinations but it’s part of the adventure to get that one scent that defines you. As a beginner, a good choice would be to experiment layering with Jo Malone colognes where fragrance layering is the heart and soul of the brand.
Explore the Jo Malone Collection at BeautyFresh
Jo Malone Floral Series
Orange Blossom Cologne
A scent of summer which has a citrus floral fragrance that is fresh, uplifting and soothing. With top notes of cedrat, green notes and clementine leaf. Heart notes consist of orange blossom and water lily while, base notes make up of orange blossom and lilac. Suitable for spring or summer wear. It works well over Pomegranate Noir.
2. Jo Malone Citrus Series
Earl Grey & Cucumber
A playful interpretation of the most playful famous English tea brand that is citrusy and aquatic at the same time. With top notes of apple, bergamot and jasmine while cucumber, angelica and davana in the heart. On the base of vanilla, cedar and musk. Try layering with Red roses or Grapefruit to lift and brighten the scent.
3. Jo Malone Woody Series
Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
A complex combination of wood and sea is in its essence. Top notes of bergamot, ambrette seeds and buchu leaves. While, sea salt, mineral accord and dry fruits in the heart. Driftwood accord, guaiac wood, white musk and sage at its base. It can be mixed with Lime Basil & Mandarin or Nectarine Blossom & Honey.
4. Jo Malone Spicy Series
Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne
A woody spicy fragrance that is unisex. Top: lemon, orange, petitgrain, May Chung blossom, neroli, ginger. Middle: lavender, lily of the valley, cinnamon, nutmeg, clary sage, elemi. Base: violet accord, cedarwood, leather, pine, sandalwood, vetiver, amber, musk. Pair it with Blackberry & bay or Pomegranate Noir.
Women all over the world have been expressing their individuality and personality through clothes, makeup and accessories. Today, you can embark on a personal quest for the perfect bottles of vision, memories, emotions, personality and individuality that when combined, becomes a scent that is uniquely yours.
